Japan allows military activity in space

Japan's defence forces are to be allowed to operate in space for the first time as they try to counter military expansion in North Korea and China.

By Richard Spencer in Beijing

10:54PM BST 09 May 2008

A committee of the Japanese parliament has voted to revise the law which until now has prevented the use of space for military purposes.

The proposed law specifies that any use must be "non-aggressive", but Japan is concerned about China, which is already trying to counter the huge lead that the United States has in space warfare technology.

The timing is embarrassing for President Hu Jintao of China, who is visiting Japan on a five-day tour aimed at cementing the improvement in relations between the two Asian rivals.

The Japanese military claims the current restriction, introduced in 1969, puts it at a disadvantage, particularly in its use of spy satellites.

Although Japan has surveillance satellites, they are operated by a civilian department answering to the prime minister, which limits their usefulness.

Japan is also collaborating with the US in developing a missile defence shield, much to the consternation of China and Russia.

Last year, Beijing shot down a redundant weather satellite with a land-based missile to demonstrate its abilities to mount a challenge in this area.